Effects of cycloartane saponins from hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus Bge., on human tumor cell targets.

For the first time three different natural compounds, isolated from hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus, cultivated in airlift bioreactor were tested for their cytotoxic potential and apoptosis induction in a panel of human tumor cell lines. Root cultures, cultivated in bioreactor gave 18.5 g l(-1) dry wt roots with the highest astragaloside production in vitro up to now - 1.64% (astragaloside I), 1.12% (astragaloside II) and 1.08% (astragaloside III). In this manner the production in airlift bioreactor can be used as means of reliable supply of cycloartane saponins to extend the research to human clinical studies.